Readings: The Monk and the Riddle

Over the weekend, I engrossed myself with this book that introduced one key concept:

Passion vs Drive

Passion – pulls you towards something you cannot resist.

Drive – pushes you towards something you feel compelled or obligated to do.

Well most people in their initial stage of studying music studied based on drive, as not many people are prodigal who can develop their passion when they are young, and pull themselves to practice the piano.

There are different reasons for children to be driven at a young age in musical performance, example, my friend is so driven (forced by parents), that he completed his grade 8 music by the age of 12. However, he developed a phobia of the piano that led him in covering the piano with cloths to disguise its looks as he had developed a phobia after practicing 4-6 hours daily. Although my friend had overcame the phobia, however it lasted for 6 years, thus I think this is very unhealthy.

I think, parents should allow their kids to develop the passion on their own, with their music teachers, and not drive them to play music for the sake of exams, as there may be a chance that they hate music, and may never go towards perfecting their art, or trying to learn to be better in it.